Sometimes people in the United States complain about work life balance. The hustle-bustle of living in the United States combined with health insurance costs often leads people to question – should I move abroad?
If you have ever pondered a move abroad, here is a list of the best countries for Americans to move to. This list takes into consideration cost of living, political stability, ability to earn permanent legal residency, and more expendable income to have access to while living in a foreign country.
Best Destinations for American Expats for Quality of Life
There’s a very large amount of countries that American citizens can choose from that each offer various perks for living abroad as well as a well established US expat communities. Being an American citizen gives you options to move just about anywhere if I’m being honest. These are the most in-demand current destinations that US expats are choosing to relocate to.
Costa Rica
Having been an expat lived in Costa Rica myself, I may seem biased here. However, there is no denying the large number of Americans that move to Costa Rica each year. You’ll find large expat communities in not only the Central Valley, but almost every beach town as well. People flock to Costa Rica for the climate, safety of Costa Rica, and the various options this very diverse country offers in terms of living in the mountains, in the city, near a volcano, on a farm, or even on the beach.
Costa Rica is a peaceful country with a stable government, daily flights to most major US Cities, as well as generous resident visa options depending on your level of investment or pension you bring to the country.
While you don’t need to speak Spanish in most beach towns or expat communities, it’ll go a long way if you do learn it as you’ll find that in slower pace rural areas English isn’t as common. Whether you want to live in the bustling Central Valley, a beach, or even in one of the world’s only blue zones, you’ll find many options in Costa Rica.
It’s now wonder it’s routinely named in lists of the top countries to live in the world year after year. I’ve also highlighted the benefits of retiring in Costa Rica if that’s something you are considering.
Panama
Just South of Costa Rica we have Panama. This country has been a hot bed for expats going back the last 20 years thanks to it’s vibrant culture, thriving financial district, and first-world architecture in the capital city of Panama City.
Panama offers gorgeous beaches, a tropical climate, and like Costa Rica, a very quick flight to the United States. Two things Panama has taken advantage of is their use of the US dollar as their standard currency in addition to a well educated population that features many English speakers in comparison to other countries in Latin America.
Large expat communities exist in Panama due to the fact that it’s a very easy country to get a long-term visa as well as permanent residency. There are multiple visa programs that you can choose from, but the “Visa Pensionado” is often the choice as it caters to retirees but is available to all age groups.
Panama offers affordable living and has been a tax haven for many years. Like Costa Rica, you’ll have the ability to live in the city, in the mountains, near a rain forest, or on the beach!
Panama City offers sophisticated high rise living, which draws some people to the country versus Costa Rica.
Portugal
If Europe is somewhere you’d like to live, there is no country drawing more expatriates away from the US than Portugal. One of the most affordable European countries, a retired couple can live just fine on $1,500 – $3,000 per month.
In Portugal you’ll not only find financial advantages, but you’ll also have the gorgeous climate, a great location to explore neighboring countries like Spain and France, but also amazing Mediterranean coastlines.
Whether you wish to be in a metropolitan area or rural village, Portugal offers something for everyone including excellent health care and educational programs.
Portugal is also a very safe country to live in, which makes it an easy choice when you couple that with the Golden Visa program that offers visa options when you make an investment.
To see if you qualify, click here.
Spain
Another country offering the Golden Visa is spain. With similar traits as Portugal in terms of topography and location, you’ll get Spain’s excellent cuisine and culture as a bonus!
You’ll find more climate changes in Spain compared to Portugal, mostly because it’s a larger country. Like it’s neighbor, you can comfortably live in large cities like Madrid for around $2,000 monthly . If you prefer to move to a more rural area, your cost will go down substantially.
Even with this low cost of living, you can still expect the same amenities and lifestyle you had in the US. Spain is a very modern, well-constructed country with a rich history, making it a great destination to not only visit, but also to live as an American.
Dubai
One country that’s picked up momentum with American expats is Dubai. This country is unlike any other on this list as it’s an investment hotbed that has billions of dollars pouring into the country every year to develop this futuristic looking city where no stone has been left unturned in terms of architecture.
There are currently an estimated 40,000 people from the United Staes living in the city while others choose to live in Abu Dhabi or surrounding areas.
If you do plan on moving to Dubai, you will require a residence visa as well as a work permit. You do get a 30 day entry permit, but after that, you’ll need those two items in order to stay longer. You can secure your visa through your employer who does the application process for you.
There are many advantages to living in Dubai, including the following:
- No income taxes
- Booming job market
- English is widely spoken
- Beautiful, bustling social scene
- Accessibility & low transportation costs
The country is well known for it’s level of safety, incredible architecture and infrastructure, and gorgeous beaches, and clean environment. Use caution, however, if you move there without a plan. You’ll need sufficient financial resources to live in Dubai as it’s high cost of living is the one detriment on this booming expat destination.
Germany
If you are looking for an English speaking country with a strong job market and high quality of life, look no further than Germany. While you fill need to learn some German to be fully immersed, you’ll find English widely spoken.
Food costs are reasonable in Germany and they have an excellent transportation system. You have to expect diverse weather patterns, however, as Germany can be cooler as well as rainy.
Health care in Germany is much less than in the US. They have a universal health system that is rated one of the best in the world.
While the cost of living in Germany won’t be for everyone, it’s not as high cost as some neighboring countries in Europe. The public transportation is incredible here and again, the health care system is among the best in the world.
Greece
Offering a laid back lifestyle and yet another Golden Visa program, Greece has gained momentum with Americans moving abroad.
Greece offers a low cost of living, a rich history and indescribable culture, not to mention amazing cuisine. If you are living on a Mediterranean diet, this has to be high on your list!
There are favorable tax perks for Americans who live in Greece.
To boot, Greece is a very safe country with a solid transportation network and many major cities to choose from.
Should You Move Abroad?
Moving abroad is not a decision to take lightly. Not only will you have to navigate moving somewhere far away, but things like private health insurance, a retirement visa (if you are of retirement age), and the public healthcare system will indeed all come into play as you start analyzing the move for yourself and family members.
If permanent residency is what you seek, I’d recommend renting in any place you choose to move to so you can experience life abroad first hand before committing to that level of investment. In many countries, a temporary visa will allow you time to explore and take your time in making a decision.
About Tim Schmidt
Tim Schmidt is a 20+ year Entrepreneur and Digital Marketer. A Fort Lauderdale-based "Digital Nomad," he enjoys traveling as much as possible with family and friends. AllWorld is his escape to document all of his adventures, including being a hardcore "foodie." He has property in Costa Rica and visits several times each year and is happy to offer his expert advice for planning your trip. Make sure to download the AllWorld Travel Hacks FREE ebook.
